Penguins Fall in Final Minutes at Colorado Mesa

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Sunday's battle for first place in the WILA between Dominican and Colorado Mesa came as advertised, coming down to the final minutes. Unfortunately for the Penguins, they found themselves on the losing end of a 9-8 decision after leading much of the game.

The Penguins (6-3/2-1 WILA) took a 1-0 lead on Dalton Copeland's first of three goals but the two teams battled to a 2-2 tie by the end of the first quarter. Daniel Caddoo and the Mavericks (6-2/4-0 WILA) took advantage of a man-up situation and took the lead less than a minute into the second quarter, though that proved shortlived when Copeland scored two minutes later. Dominican would string together the next three goals after that to send Dominican into halftime with a 6-3 advantage.

The second half belonged to the Mavericks. CMU scored a pair of goals in the third quarter to cut the lead to 7-5. Copleand's third goal of the day gave the Penguins an 8-6 lead with 9:56 to go in regulation but the Penguins were held scoreless the remainder of the game and CMU scored the final three goals of the game to complete the come-from-behind victory, tying the game at the five-minute mark on Michael Beimford's goal. Belmford scored the game-winner at the three-minute mark and Dominican would have one shot the rest of the way, a Cody Bernstein shot that was saved by CMU goalie Brad Brandenburg.

The loss was the Penguins first WILA loss dating back to April 7, 2012 when the Penguins last lost to CMU. The Penguins held a slight 24-21 ground balls advantage and won 12 of the game's 21 faceoffs. Both teams recorded 31 shots.

Copeland's three goals led the Penguins. Cody Bernstein and Jake Powers each had a pair of goals. Jake Bernstein had one goal. Belmford led CMU with three goals.

Dominican will head to Notre Dame de Namur University on Saturday, April 19 for a 3:00 p.m. contest. The Penguins handled the Argos 23-4 in their last meeting on March 22. The Penguins host CMU on Sunday, April 27 at 12:00 p.m. That game is Senior Day for the Penguins and will likely have WILA title implications.